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Yokosuka mayor thanks Marines, sailors for help after deadly crash

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From Stripes.com

Yokosuka Mayor Yuto Yoshida poses for a photo with six servicemembers and one Japanese local who were recognized Jan. 16, 2017 for providing assistance to the victims of a deadly car crash Dec. 31, 2016. Tyler Hlavac/Stars and Stripes

Yokosuka mayor thanks Marines, sailors for help after deadly crash

by: Tyler Hlavac | .

Stars and Stripes | .

published: January 17, 2017

YOKOSUKA NAVAL BASE, Japan — The city of Yokosuka honored servicemembers Monday for their rapid rescue efforts after a car plunged five stories from atop a parking garage with five people inside.

Yokosuka Mayor Yuto Yoshida presented the four Marines and two sailors with certificates expressing the appreciation of the community.

Yoshida said he was impressed by their fast response and that their actions helped Japanese medical responders. Three adults died when the vehicle land upside-down, but two boys were pulled out alive.

“Because of everyone’s quick rescuing efforts, emergency officials were able finish their on-site response quickly and take [the boys] to the hospital immediately,” Yoshida said. “I’m thankful to hear that you rescued [the boys] as members of the community even though it is not in your home country and a place where you were assigned.”

Yokosuka base commander Capt. Jeffrey J. Kim told Yoshida that it was a natural for the servicemembers to want to help.

“We have sailors and visiting Marines who instantly acted as if this was their home community,” Kim said.